We are the children of George and Lulu Pearce. There were seven of
      us. Our father made the run for land when the Cherokee Strip was
      opened. His claim was 160 acres, 1 1/2 miles north of where Amorita,
      Oklahoma, is now. He built a five room house and a large barn on this
      claim. He married our Mother, and six children were born in this home.
      We remember a team of white horses hitched to a surrey with fringe 
      around the top, also our first Model T Ford.
        In 1918 they sold the farm and bought the old Walstead place from
      H.A. Cox. It is about 5 miles east of Medicine Lodge. This was our
      move to Barber County. The Walstead schoolhouse was on the corner of
      our land. Five of us children attended school there. Opal Cox was our
      first teacher; some of the pupils were Baldings, Phyes, Nugens, Brocks,
      Ragans, Kasneys and Pearces.
        There were many programs at the school, including box and pie suppers.
      Our dad was one of the auctioneers for these events. Many good memories
      of our days spent at Walstead still linger in our lives.
        We remember the tornado on Saturday, May 7, 1927. We spent some anxious
      moments in the storm cellar, but not much damage at our place.
        Our dad loved to go fishing and went as often as he could. Our mother
      was a loving mother, a good homemaker, also a good neighbor. Many times
      she was called to aid the doctor when he was delivering a newborn infant.
        Our dad lost his right hand, a reslut from a kick while cranking the
      old Ford. He was leftenhanded, so it didn't stop him for long. With our
      help he continued to farm. We added to rooms to the house, built a large
      barn and other buildings. The small children held boards while he drove
      the nails. The older ones followed instructions.
        One winter, during a snowstorm, eight travelers became snowed in with
      us for three nights and two days. Mother and the girls cooked the meals;
      there were 18 of us. Our brother and another man took care of chores;
      Dad and others brought in wood for two stoves and kept fires going. The
      ones we couldn't bed down sat in big chairs with quilts for comfort.
        Evenings were spent with our sister playing the organ, the rest would
      sing along. Dad would do his Irish Jigs. Many years afterward, we would
      receive Christmas Greetings from them. 
        Our parents are gone now, also the oldest son, Roy, and youngest
      daughter, Nellie. Curt Schiff bought the farm. The schoolhouse is empty.
      We each have homes of our own. Earl, Ferne, Neva, and Evelyn live in
      Medicine Lodge, Grace in Miami, Oklahoma. Our parents gave us many happy
      memories, while we were growing up with them in our Barber County Home. 
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 360 
     Submitted by: Evelyn Kidd